1 Samuel 5: A Showdown in Enemy Territory

Welcome to chapter by chapter for your Welcome to chapter by chapter for your journey through the greatest book given journey through the greatest book given journey through the greatest book given to the human race, the word of God, the to the human race, the word of God, the to the human race, the word of God, the Bible. We get to go through it chapter Bible. We get to go through it chapter Bible. We get to go through it chapter by chapter. 7 minutes a day and 7 days a by chapter. 7 minutes a day and 7 days a by chapter. 7 minutes a day and 7 days a week. Join us each day and share it with week. Join us each day and share it with week. Join us each day and share it with others so they can join this journey others so they can join this journey others so they can join this journey that will be life-changing. We'll stop that will be life-changing. We'll stop that will be life-changing. We'll stop at unexpected places on the journey and at unexpected places on the journey and at unexpected places on the journey and be challenged. Some verses will create be challenged. Some verses will create be challenged. Some verses will create awe and wonder. We'll have chapters that awe and wonder. We'll have chapters that awe and wonder. We'll have chapters that will be instructive and in others we'll will be instructive and in others we'll will be instructive and in others we'll find joy and comfort. We will find joy and comfort. We will find joy and comfort. We will occasionally be convicted and want to occasionally be convicted and want to occasionally be convicted and want to change, but all in all the journey will change, but all in all the journey will change, but all in all the journey will be worth it. Once in a while we may take be worth it. Once in a while we may take be worth it. Once in a while we may take a detour on the journey and hear from a detour on the journey and hear from a detour on the journey and hear from some of God's servants on their favorite some of God's servants on their favorite some of God's servants on their favorite passages from a chapter of scripture and passages from a chapter of scripture and passages from a chapter of scripture and let them give you their insight. Every let them give you their insight. Every let them give you their insight. Every journey needs a small detour journey needs a small detour journey needs a small detour occasionally. The best way to get the occasionally. The best way to get the occasionally. The best way to get the most from this podcast is read the most from this podcast is read the most from this podcast is read the chapter we're discussing before or chapter we're discussing before or chapter we're discussing before or after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. after. It's his word that transforms. You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can You'll find more and see more than I can ever articulate. Welcome to chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to chapter by ever articulate. Welcome to chapter by chapter and today's chapter is 1 Samuel chapter and today's chapter is 1 Samuel chapter and today's chapter is 1 Samuel 5. A showdown in enemy territory. 5. A showdown in enemy territory. 5. A showdown in enemy territory. The church I once pastored in Detroit The church I once pastored in Detroit The church I once pastored in Detroit used to own a Christian bookstore. I'll used to own a Christian bookstore. I'll used to own a Christian bookstore. I'll never forget the time we got a call from never forget the time we got a call from never forget the time we got a call from our Bible department about imprinting a our Bible department about imprinting a our Bible department about imprinting a name on a Bible.

name on a Bible. name on a Bible. They asked us if they were allowed to do They asked us if they were allowed to do They asked us if they were allowed to do it. I was shocked. it. I was shocked. it. I was shocked. Since when are we concerned about Since when are we concerned about Since when are we concerned about putting a name on a Bible? It seems a putting a name on a Bible? It seems a putting a name on a Bible? It seems a mother was buying a Bible for her mother was buying a Bible for her mother was buying a Bible for her youngest boy who she named Diablo. That youngest boy who she named Diablo. That youngest boy who she named Diablo. That word means devil in Spanish. word means devil in Spanish. word means devil in Spanish. I have to believe that mom did not know I have to believe that mom did not know I have to believe that mom did not know what it meant when she chose that name what it meant when she chose that name what it meant when she chose that name for her child. for her child. for her child. Forget about putting that name on a Forget about putting that name on a Forget about putting that name on a Bible. What a horrible name to put upon Bible. What a horrible name to put upon Bible. What a horrible name to put upon a young child. a young child. a young child. 1 Samuel 4 ends with probably a worse 1 Samuel 4 ends with probably a worse 1 Samuel 4 ends with probably a worse name for a child. The widow of a name for a child. The widow of a name for a child. The widow of a worthless priest is going to die in worthless priest is going to die in worthless priest is going to die in childbirth. She has heard that her childbirth. She has heard that her childbirth. She has heard that her husband was killed by the Philistines. husband was killed by the Philistines. husband was killed by the Philistines. The ark of God has been taken into enemy The ark of God has been taken into enemy The ark of God has been taken into enemy territory. Our nation lost the battle territory. Our nation lost the battle territory. Our nation lost the battle with countless casualties. Her with countless casualties. Her with countless casualties. Her father-in-law fell backwards and broke father-in-law fell backwards and broke father-in-law fell backwards and broke his neck, and she is in great pain as his neck, and she is in great pain as his neck, and she is in great pain as she is giving birth to a child after all she is giving birth to a child after all she is giving birth to a child after all of this tragedy. Just before she died of this tragedy. Just before she died of this tragedy. Just before she died giving birth, Phinehas' wife has enough giving birth, Phinehas' wife has enough giving birth, Phinehas' wife has enough life in her to get a little boy's name life in her to get a little boy's name life in her to get a little boy's name on the birth certificate, and she will on the birth certificate, and she will on the birth certificate, and she will call him call him call him Ichabod.

Ichabod. Ichabod. What could be worse than devil is this What could be worse than devil is this What could be worse than devil is this name. It means the glory has departed name. It means the glory has departed name. It means the glory has departed from Israel. from Israel. from Israel. It was a name of judgment. Her final It was a name of judgment. Her final It was a name of judgment. Her final words in that midwife's care was the words in that midwife's care was the words in that midwife's care was the last verse of the chapter, 1 Samuel last verse of the chapter, 1 Samuel last verse of the chapter, 1 Samuel 4:22. She said, "The glory has departed 4:22. She said, "The glory has departed 4:22. She said, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God was from Israel, for the ark of God was from Israel, for the ark of God was taken." taken." taken." As we start 1 Samuel 5, just remember As we start 1 Samuel 5, just remember As we start 1 Samuel 5, just remember the glory of God was taken from Israel the glory of God was taken from Israel the glory of God was taken from Israel in the ark, but the glory of God will in the ark, but the glory of God will in the ark, but the glory of God will not be hindered even in Philistine not be hindered even in Philistine not be hindered even in Philistine territory. There will be a showdown with territory. There will be a showdown with territory. There will be a showdown with the enemy having home field advantage. the enemy having home field advantage. the enemy having home field advantage. The glory of God showed up in a heathen The glory of God showed up in a heathen The glory of God showed up in a heathen temple. temple. temple. 1 Samuel 5 is really incredible. 1 Samuel 5 is really incredible. 1 Samuel 5 is really incredible. We are brought not just into the heart We are brought not just into the heart We are brought not just into the heart of Philistine territory, but we are of Philistine territory, but we are of Philistine territory, but we are taken right in the midst of the temple taken right in the midst of the temple taken right in the midst of the temple of their most important idol, Dagon. It of their most important idol, Dagon. It of their most important idol, Dagon. It was their chief national god that took was their chief national god that took was their chief national god that took on the form of a fish and human hybrid.

on the form of a fish and human hybrid. on the form of a fish and human hybrid. We're given a rare peek into this We're given a rare peek into this We're given a rare peek into this heathen nation's holy of holies with heathen nation's holy of holies with heathen nation's holy of holies with their false god Dagon. The story you're their false god Dagon. The story you're their false god Dagon. The story you're about to read is exciting, humorous, and about to read is exciting, humorous, and about to read is exciting, humorous, and even revelatory. A showdown will happen even revelatory. A showdown will happen even revelatory. A showdown will happen in the middle of the night that no one in the middle of the night that no one in the middle of the night that no one anticipated. The Philistines have just anticipated. The Philistines have just anticipated. The Philistines have just come back to Ashdod after killing 30,000 come back to Ashdod after killing 30,000 come back to Ashdod after killing 30,000 Israelites. They not only won the Israelites. They not only won the Israelites. They not only won the battle, but they took the ark of the battle, but they took the ark of the battle, but they took the ark of the covenant, the very thing in the previous covenant, the very thing in the previous covenant, the very thing in the previous chapter that brought fear to them chapter that brought fear to them chapter that brought fear to them because they associated it with the God because they associated it with the God because they associated it with the God of Israel coming into Israel's camp. The of Israel coming into Israel's camp. The of Israel coming into Israel's camp. The ark has now become a POW, or they ark has now become a POW, or they ark has now become a POW, or they suppose it is under their control. No suppose it is under their control. No suppose it is under their control. No one is in control of God. The glory just one is in control of God. The glory just one is in control of God. The glory just moved from Israel and is about to burst moved from Israel and is about to burst moved from Israel and is about to burst out in Ashdod. 1 Samuel 5 starts with out in Ashdod. 1 Samuel 5 starts with out in Ashdod. 1 Samuel 5 starts with these words in verses 1 and 2. Now the these words in verses 1 and 2. Now the these words in verses 1 and 2. Now the Philistines took the ark of God and Philistines took the ark of God and Philistines took the ark of God and brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then the Philistines took the ark of God and the Philistines took the ark of God and the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it to the house of Dagon and set brought it to the house of Dagon and set brought it to the house of Dagon and set it by Dagon. The Philistines had the it by Dagon. The Philistines had the it by Dagon. The Philistines had the audacity to put the ark in the house of audacity to put the ark in the house of audacity to put the ark in the house of Dagon as a sign of defeat for the God of Dagon as a sign of defeat for the God of Dagon as a sign of defeat for the God of Israel. They had no idea what was about Israel. They had no idea what was about Israel. They had no idea what was about to follow.

to follow. to follow. Jehovah did not even need 24 hours to Jehovah did not even need 24 hours to Jehovah did not even need 24 hours to show off his power. show off his power. show off his power. This is what happened the first night in This is what happened the first night in This is what happened the first night in the house of Dagon. 1 Samuel 5:3. the house of Dagon. 1 Samuel 5:3. the house of Dagon. 1 Samuel 5:3. When the Ashdodites arose early the next When the Ashdodites arose early the next When the Ashdodites arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the face to the ground before the ark of the face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. So they took Dagon and set him Lord. So they took Dagon and set him Lord. So they took Dagon and set him back in his place again. I love the back in his place again. I love the back in his place again. I love the sacrilegious sight of the national god sacrilegious sight of the national god sacrilegious sight of the national god face to the ground before the ark of the face to the ground before the ark of the face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. Anyone could see every knee shall Lord. Anyone could see every knee shall Lord. Anyone could see every knee shall bow happening in this heathen temple. bow happening in this heathen temple. bow happening in this heathen temple. The Philistines helped their false god The Philistines helped their false god The Philistines helped their false god up and put him back on his feet. The up and put him back on his feet. The up and put him back on his feet. The next night God came with more force. 1 next night God came with more force. 1 next night God came with more force. 1 Samuel 5:4 says this, "But when they Samuel 5:4 says this, "But when they Samuel 5:4 says this, "But when they arose early the next morning, behold, arose early the next morning, behold, arose early the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen on his face to the Dagon had fallen on his face to the Dagon had fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord and ground before the ark of the Lord and ground before the ark of the Lord and the head of Dagon and both the palms of the head of Dagon and both the palms of the head of Dagon and both the palms of his hands were cut off on the threshold.

his hands were cut off on the threshold. his hands were cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. Dagon is on his face but his head is Dagon is on his face but his head is Dagon is on his face but his head is gone and his hands are cut off. gone and his hands are cut off. gone and his hands are cut off. He is literally just the stump. God He is literally just the stump. God He is literally just the stump. God wasn't playing around and God was not wasn't playing around and God was not wasn't playing around and God was not done. done. done. He would make his power felt amongst the He would make his power felt amongst the He would make his power felt amongst the people. Verse 6. Then the Lord's heavy people. Verse 6. Then the Lord's heavy people. Verse 6. Then the Lord's heavy hand struck the people of Ashdod and the hand struck the people of Ashdod and the hand struck the people of Ashdod and the nearby villages with a plague of tumors. nearby villages with a plague of tumors. nearby villages with a plague of tumors. When the people realized what was When the people realized what was When the people realized what was happening, they cried out, "We can't happening, they cried out, "We can't happening, they cried out, "We can't keep the ark of God of Israel here any keep the ark of God of Israel here any keep the ark of God of Israel here any longer. He is against us. We will all be longer. He is against us. We will all be longer. He is against us. We will all be destroyed along with Dagon our God." So destroyed along with Dagon our God." So destroyed along with Dagon our God." So they called together the rulers of the they called together the rulers of the they called together the rulers of the Philistine towns and asked, "What should Philistine towns and asked, "What should Philistine towns and asked, "What should we do with the ark of the God of we do with the ark of the God of we do with the ark of the God of Israel?" The rulers discussed it and Israel?" The rulers discussed it and Israel?" The rulers discussed it and replied, "Move it to the town of Gath." replied, "Move it to the town of Gath." replied, "Move it to the town of Gath." So they moved the ark of God of Israel So they moved the ark of God of Israel So they moved the ark of God of Israel to Gath but when the ark arrived at to Gath but when the ark arrived at to Gath but when the ark arrived at Gath, the Lord's heavy hand fell on its Gath, the Lord's heavy hand fell on its Gath, the Lord's heavy hand fell on its men, young and old. He struck them with men, young and old. He struck them with men, young and old. He struck them with a plague of tumors and there was a great a plague of tumors and there was a great a plague of tumors and there was a great panic. So they sent the ark of God to panic. So they sent the ark of God to panic. So they sent the ark of God to the town of Ekron but when the people of the town of Ekron but when the people of the town of Ekron but when the people of Ekron saw coming, they cried out, Ekron saw coming, they cried out, Ekron saw coming, they cried out, "They're bringing the ark of God of "They're bringing the ark of God of "They're bringing the ark of God of Israel here to kill us too." The people Israel here to kill us too." The people Israel here to kill us too." The people summoned the Philistine rulers again and summoned the Philistine rulers again and summoned the Philistine rulers again and begged them, "Please send the ark of God begged them, "Please send the ark of God begged them, "Please send the ark of God of Israel back to its own country or it of Israel back to its own country or it of Israel back to its own country or it will kill us all." All the Philistine will kill us all." All the Philistine will kill us all." All the Philistine cities were getting tumors. Every place cities were getting tumors. Every place cities were getting tumors. Every place they sent the ark, a plague of tumors

they sent the ark, a plague of tumors they sent the ark, a plague of tumors came. I noticed a familiar city on the came. I noticed a familiar city on the came. I noticed a familiar city on the tumor tour. tumor tour. tumor tour. The Philistine city of Gath. The Philistine city of Gath. The Philistine city of Gath. Do you remember that this was the Do you remember that this was the Do you remember that this was the hometown of Goliath, the giant that hometown of Goliath, the giant that hometown of Goliath, the giant that David would kill in 1 Samuel 17 some David would kill in 1 Samuel 17 some David would kill in 1 Samuel 17 some years later. Could it be that the giant years later. Could it be that the giant years later. Could it be that the giant that defied the God of Israel was struck that defied the God of Israel was struck that defied the God of Israel was struck years earlier with tumors in his years earlier with tumors in his years earlier with tumors in his hometown? hometown? hometown? I think he was. I think he was. I think he was. There was no contest. God alone took out There was no contest. God alone took out There was no contest. God alone took out their national god and city after city. their national god and city after city. their national god and city after city. I remember Bible teacher Chuck Swindoll I remember Bible teacher Chuck Swindoll I remember Bible teacher Chuck Swindoll telling this true story of a police car, telling this true story of a police car, telling this true story of a police car, a radar gun, and a Marine fighter jet. a radar gun, and a Marine fighter jet. a radar gun, and a Marine fighter jet. Two California Highway Patrolmen set up Two California Highway Patrolmen set up Two California Highway Patrolmen set up at a spot to get speeders on I-15 just at a spot to get speeders on I-15 just at a spot to get speeders on I-15 just north of the Marine Corps Air Station in north of the Marine Corps Air Station in north of the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar. Miramar. Miramar. One of the officers was using a handheld One of the officers was using a handheld One of the officers was using a handheld radar gun to check speeding vehicles radar gun to check speeding vehicles radar gun to check speeding vehicles approaching the crest of a hill and were approaching the crest of a hill and were approaching the crest of a hill and were shocked when the radar gun read 500 mph.

shocked when the radar gun read 500 mph. shocked when the radar gun read 500 mph. The officer tried to reset the radar gun The officer tried to reset the radar gun The officer tried to reset the radar gun and it wouldn't reset and then it just and it wouldn't reset and then it just and it wouldn't reset and then it just shut down. shut down. shut down. Just then a deafening roar came over Just then a deafening roar came over Just then a deafening roar came over their heads and showed them what they their heads and showed them what they their heads and showed them what they actually had on their radar gun. It was actually had on their radar gun. It was actually had on their radar gun. It was a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 a United States Marine Corps F/A-18 Hornet jet, which was doing low-flying Hornet jet, which was doing low-flying Hornet jet, which was doing low-flying training. The next day, back at the CHP training. The next day, back at the CHP training. The next day, back at the CHP headquarters, the chief fired off a headquarters, the chief fired off a headquarters, the chief fired off a complaint to the Marine Air Station complaint to the Marine Air Station complaint to the Marine Air Station commander. The reply that came back from commander. The reply that came back from commander. The reply that came back from the Marine Corps is is classic. It said the Marine Corps is is classic. It said the Marine Corps is is classic. It said this, "Thank you for your letter. We can this, "Thank you for your letter. We can this, "Thank you for your letter. We can now complete the file on this incident. now complete the file on this incident. now complete the file on this incident. You will be pleased to know that the You will be pleased to know that the You will be pleased to know that the tactical computer on the F-18 had tactical computer on the F-18 had tactical computer on the F-18 had detected and locked onto your hostile detected and locked onto your hostile detected and locked onto your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a radar equipment and automatically sent a radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it, which is why jamming signal back to it, which is why jamming signal back to it, which is why it shut down. Furthermore, an it shut down. Furthermore, an it shut down. Furthermore, an air-to-ground missile locked onto your air-to-ground missile locked onto your air-to-ground missile locked onto your patrol car and fortunately the pilot patrol car and fortunately the pilot patrol car and fortunately the pilot flying the Hornet recognized the flying the Hornet recognized the flying the Hornet recognized the situation for what it was and was able situation for what it was and was able situation for what it was and was able to override the automated defense system to override the automated defense system to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched to before the missile was launched to before the missile was launched to destroy the hostile radar position. The destroy the hostile radar position. The destroy the hostile radar position. The pilot also suggests that you cover your pilot also suggests that you cover your pilot also suggests that you cover your mouths when cursing at them since the mouths when cursing at them since the mouths when cursing at them since the video systems on these jets are very video systems on these jets are very video systems on these jets are very high resolution. Sergeant Johnson, the high resolution. Sergeant Johnson, the high resolution. Sergeant Johnson, the officer holding the radar gun, should officer holding the radar gun, should officer holding the radar gun, should get his dentist to have his left rear get his dentist to have his left rear get his dentist to have his left rear molar checked and it appears the filling molar checked and it appears the filling molar checked and it appears the filling is loose and also the snap is broken on

is loose and also the snap is broken on is loose and also the snap is broken on his handgun holster. Once again, thank his handgun holster. Once again, thank his handgun holster. Once again, thank you for your concern. Semper Fi. you for your concern. Semper Fi. you for your concern. Semper Fi. It's funny when we think we are in It's funny when we think we are in It's funny when we think we are in charge charge charge but someone higher up than us actually but someone higher up than us actually but someone higher up than us actually is. It can happen in California and it is. It can happen in California and it is. It can happen in California and it can happen in Ashdod. Just a word to the can happen in Ashdod. Just a word to the can happen in Ashdod. Just a word to the Marine F-18 fighters, there is someone Marine F-18 fighters, there is someone Marine F-18 fighters, there is someone higher up than you guys higher up than you guys higher up than you guys whose radar can tell you something about whose radar can tell you something about whose radar can tell you something about the hairs on your head. the hairs on your head. the hairs on your head. Thank you for joining chapter by Thank you for joining chapter by Thank you for joining chapter by chapter. Every chapter from the greatest chapter. Every chapter from the greatest chapter. Every chapter from the greatest book, the Bible, the word of God, 7 book, the Bible, the word of God, 7 book, the Bible, the word of God, 7 minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see minutes a day, 7 days a week. We'll see you tomorrow.